The success in the area means the project hope to roll out similar initiatives across the region.

Professor Mark Huxham, who leads Napier’s work, said: “We have shown how scientists, government and local people can work together to conserve forests and improve lives at Gazi, our current site.

Professor Mark Huxham.

“This support from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation will help us expand our efforts to Vanga, the largest mangrove forest in southern Kenya, where local people have asked for our help in securing their forest for the future.”

The latest grant, announced at a climate change conference at Yale University, is one of around 100 announced by the foundation.

“With a lack of political leadership and continued evidence that climate change is growing worse with record breaking heatwaves and storms, we believe we need to do as much as we can now, before it is too late.”

DiCaprio is already familiar with Edinburgh having helped support the Social Bite project previously, as pictured, ahead of delivering a speech on the environment.